2025 Associated Masonry Contractors of Houston Golden Trowel Honor Award Government/Institutional

>>> Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital encompasses a 570,000-square-foot, seven-story main building and a Central Utility Plant (CUP). The scope included the installation of 325,000 units on the main structure and 15,000 units on the CUP and service walls.

The façade exemplifies the signature Methodist Hospital design. Floors 1–2 feature Smooth Arriscraft units with Rockface banding, while Floors 3–7 consist primarily of brick accented by Arriscraft bands and Arriscraft window headers. The CUP incorporates White Limestone Ground Face units with a unique “Pigeon Hole” breezeway design that provides both ventilation and aesthetic appeal. Arriscraft columns at the Main Entrance, Courtyard, and Emergency Area serve as architectural focal points.

Given the scale and complexity of this project, the façade required full scaffolding on two elevations. Due to limited forklift access on upper levels, multiple material hoists were used for vertical transport. This enabled multiple trades including waterproofing, flashing, window installation, mineral wool and rigid insulation, to operate efficiently ahead of the masonry veneer installation. To meet the schedule, a rolling turnover strategy was implemented: as each elevation was completed, it was handed off to the General Contractor, allowing parallel progress on landscaping and sitework. With numerous trades operating concurrently, daily field huddles and weekly coordination meetings between Project Managers and Field Foremen ensured alignment on daily goals, sequencing, and project milestones. This strategic planning was key to safely managing over 75 workers while maintaining the aggressive schedule, which was successfully achieved with no lost-time accidents.

Challenges encountered on this project stemmed from the large number of windows, varying Arriscraft bandings, and differing floor levels. Each relief angle required precise measurement to ensure correct elevation and projection. These measurements enabled us to perform chair cuts on the brick to effectively conceal the steel angles and prevent them from being exposed.

The overall height of the building exceeded 125 feet, requiring engineered scaffolding. Engineered scaffold drawings were prepared and followed to accommodate loading requirements, safety standards, and complex site logistics. In addition, the scaffold design needed to account for three podium levels and multiple strategically placed staircases, while allowing workers safe and efficient access throughout the structure.

Scaffold configuration:

• Levels 1–3: 6 frames high

• Levels 3–4: 3 frames high

• Levels 4–8: 11 frames high

This configuration ensured proper elevation, load distribution, and access across all work areas, particularly where elevation changes and structural transitions occurred. The design also accounted for fall protection, bracing requirements, and load paths in alignment with engineering specifications.